News Summary
On Thursday afternoon, a bright fireball lit up the skies across South Carolina and neighboring states, leaving residents amazed and curious. Eyewitnesses reported a vivid spectacle similar to fireworks that caught the attention of many, with over 130 reports logged by the American Meteor Society. The event coincided with the peak of the June Bootid meteor shower, raising speculation about its origins. Investigators suggest it may be a bolide, and further assessments are underway to investigate possible meteorite debris.
Columbia, South Carolina – A stunning fireball streaked across the sky on Thursday afternoon, June 26, 2025, captivating residents in South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Reports of the bright phenomenon began around 12:30 PM EDT, capturing the attention of sky watchers and curious onlookers alike.
Multiple eyewitnesses networked via social media platforms to share their experiences and videos of the sighting, describing the object as resembling fireworks due to its bright flashes and swift motion across the sky. By 4:30 PM, the American Meteor Society logged over 130 reports of the fireball from 20 states.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) suggested that the object may have been a bolide, an extremely bright meteor, after reviewing satellite data from the Geostationary Lightning Mapper. This technology picked up the object near the Virginia-North Carolina border around 12:56 PM. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the event is likely a meteorite and is currently under investigation to assess whether any debris fell to the ground in the region.
The fireball event coincided with the peak of the June Bootid meteor shower, which began to reach its height on June 27. This timing may have contributed to the increased visibility of the light display, as meteoric activity wanes throughout the month.
Although excitement spread across the southeastern states, investigators have noted that there were no unusual aircraft sightings reported in the skies during the incident. Speculation among local residents points towards the possibility that the fireball was related to either space debris or natural meteors falling through the atmosphere.
Most eyewitness accounts came from the Midlands, Upstate, and Charleston areas of South Carolina, which served as hot spots for viewing the phenomenon. The collective experience created a communal moment, as residents marveled at the unexpected sighting and engaged in discussions about the nature of what they had observed.
The light show captivated not only those in South Carolina but also people across the southeastern United States, as viewers shared moments of awe, amazement, and curiosity through various social media channels. Many expressed their thrill in witnessing such a rare and transient event in the sky again, emphasizing the power of technology in connecting individuals to experience major events.
In summary, the occurrence of this fireball serves as a reminder of the celestial wonders that can be glimpsed from our planet. Investigations are still ongoing to determine the full implications of this captivating display, but it has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on many in its path.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WJBF: Possible Meteorite Seen Across CSRA
- Wikipedia: Meteor
- NewsChannel 9: Mystery Fireball Spotted Across Southeastern States
- Google Search: fireball meteor
- Post and Courier: SC, Georgia Fireball Meteor Sky
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Meteor
- WLTX: South Carolina Fireball
- Google News: fireball event
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
